The tiny first pony thread - yours, your children's, stories and photos please!

[MrsCentaur]

My daughters turned five at the weekend, and consequently were allowed to join their six-year-old brothers at the riding school. And they LOVED it. The dinky, usually quite nervous little girl hasn't stopped talking about 'MY HORSE' (a shetland about the same size as she is!) ever since, and her wild sister (with a few suspected additional needs) laughed the whole way round but stayed on the pony and behaved beautifully. The boys are newly returned to the stables after a long hiatus due to covid; one is rather enamoured, particularly to be sharing a lesson with the little girl whom he refers to as his 'wife' (who keeps correcting his riding position - it is hilarious and adorable!) and the other has minimal interest but when given the choice between watching the lesson or riding in the lesson is happy to ride.

I'm looking at these photos and mentally calculating how expensive this is going to get... and I don't even care because they are so bloody adorable on their little ponies and why did I even have children if not to be a pony club mum? It was so lovely to bring them to my happy place and to observe them enjoying something that I love so much, though I was quite grateful yesterday that Sundays have been deemed the 'adults only' day at the yard and I had an excuse not to bring them!

Can you please distract me from the 'first ridden' section of HorseQuest by sharing your/your small people's photos of bouncing adorably on tiny ponies? Parents with children who ride, how are you juggling your hobby against their passion? Pictures and stories please!

 

[windand rain]

kids aged between 2 and 8 until last photo where she is 10. The pony is an absolute gem and is aged 4 to 6 she is six now

 

[conniegirl]

Me on my first pony, Harvey. A 12.2hh angel who stayed with us for the rest of his days and passed away aged 36


My mum is already on the hunt for a pony for my 11 week old daughter (i have said no pony before 2! But have bought a basket saddle to put on my pony!)

 

[EventingMum]

https://imgur.com/SazsBTg

How lovely that they can all share the experience.

No cute child photo's from me as said child is now in his 30s and sadly despite working in the equine industry no longer has time to ride. However, here's his first and last equine friends, both enjoying retirement. 10.3hh Freddie started my son off and did lots of low key Pony Club stuff before he moved on to bigger, sportier models, Sam, in the fly rug, evented to what is now 3* and we enjoyed lots of fun times with him and other horses. I found the only downside of having a horsey child is that I ended up giving up doing so much to make way for him as there really wasn't the time or money for us both to be out competing so I was relegated to coach, groom and lorry driver! I was somewhat useful when he went away to uni and I had 3 horses to get fit each season ready for him returning home!

 

[piebaldproblems]

Can’t find any pictures of mine, but I would like to say that you have a moral obligation to buy a little pony and post lots of photos of it

 

[buddylove]

I could bombard you with lots of pictures of smalls and ponies, but I would be here all day!
They are loads of fun, but they take up all of your time, my boots have been hung up, as between kids, ponies, dogs and a pesky full time job, I just don't have the time for my own horse anymore. I don't begrudge it though, I would rather give them the opportunities I didn't have as a kid.

 

[MollyFell]

I was sure that out of three children, one would ride but alas - no matter how hard I pushed (very!) it wasn’t to be. Until now!! My almost 9yo is now learning to ride and has the sweetest little cob as her new best friend